The Guidance of Light

Heavy Weight

As Ayano watched the scene unfold before her, she couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy and frustration. Her teeth bit into her lips, causing them to slightly bleed. Her vision became clouded, tainted by a fiery red, a passionate color that contrasted with her perception of Oka. Oka was near her beloved, Taro Yamada, with his light skin, charcoal grey eyes, and short, dark hair, looking stunning compared to that horrid girl who had just appeared.

Taro Yamada, her senpai and her life, looked at Ruto with slight surprise.

Ayano couldn't help but back herself into the wall, thinking of many ways to eliminate Oka Ruto. She could only grit her teeth looking back at the scene ahead of her. Oka held out something, a bento wrapped with a cherry blossom patterned furoshiki. Oka smiled slightly and said something that Ayano couldn't hear from where she stood. Senpai then gave slight grim look but smiled and gave a response. A shadow seemed to be cast on his face. Oka then stood there almost surprised, looking down at her hands, the bento-wrapped furoshiki, she looked almost guilty only to then sit next to Senpai. Oka started to converse more with Senpai. Senpai only looked blankly at Oka and sighed, looking saddened.

Ayano couldn't stand them chatting together as if they knew each other, but she didn't know what to do. She was so focused on the scene in front of her, that her grip on the wall hardened, cracking the wall. She looked at Taro, she yearned to comfort him for whatever he felt bad for, to hug him, to ruffle his black hair, and shower him with light kisses of love. Ayano started to daydream but remembered Oka's presence, and her frustration surged once more.

Oka had to go immediately.
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Seeing Taro on a bench, she couldn't help but blush slightly at the sight of him. She shook her head and prepared herself mentally to just chat with him normally. Oka Ruto started to walk to him with bento in hand.

"Hey Taro", Oka said nervously, mentally screeching to herself in embarrassment already. Taro looked at her with slight shock but replied, "Oh! Hi there, Oka". Oka then held out the bento and presented it to him, he stared back not knowing what to say, "I wanted to give you this, I know that you might have your food but I just wanted to make you one so, I would appreciate it if you can take it." Oka rambled a bit, but her point came across, 'I can't believe I said that...that sounded so weird,' Oka mentally grumbled to herself. Taro gave a quick grim then smiled, "Oh...Thanks...Oka". Oka felt the sudden shift in atmosphere, looking confused she stared at him almost as if seeing his soul. She thought he was angry at her...no he was angry at the item in her hand. She looked at her bento trying to figure out what was wrong. Her eyes widen, this place, this location, this scene...

... it was once theirs.

"Oh", She couldn't say anything else, she looked at him in sadness and sat down next to him. "Hey, it's fine...to say no you know", Oka merely put her bento in her lap. Taro quickly looked at the side of him, eyes widening and mouth slightly open, "I didn't mean to come across as rude, I...Sorry, I just...", he sighed then looked at the ground. Oka just shook her head, "It's fine just say so next time."

Oka gazed at the sky, so blue and bright, in stark contrast to the gloomy school. She hadn't meant to take her spot—the rooftop spot where Taro and her used to meet almost every day. Her dark navy hair swayed slightly with the wind as she closed her eyes and relaxed. When she opened them again, Taro was staring blankly into space, lost in thought.

"Hey, Taro, are you there?" She waved her hand in front of his face. He blinked, and his composure returned. He quickly straightened up and cleared his throat, saying, "Yeah, I'm good."

Oka stayed silent, she saw through the facade. She knew he was far from "good" She decided not to push him further. Not here where her ghost must be lurking around...looking after him. Putting her hands together and bowing her head, she gave a silent prayer. Taro, unsure of what was happening, hesitated for a moment before following her lead. Both sat there in silence with a small prayer, for the girl who wasn't with them now, the girl who was Taro's best friend, the girl who was the most lively.